#1640 Romans 9 Part 3 Does Not Depend On the One Who Wills

 

14 What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and in order that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Romans 9: 14-18 LSB

Romans 9: 14-18

V. 14 Is there injustice on God's part - If the wages of sin is death and all have sinned then all should receive this justice. In the case of those to whom God shows grace, unmerited mercy, it is based upon His right as the Creator, and yet He does not forgo justice. God is eternal, and so are His attributes. His holy and just nature demands fairness, so in the case of those who receive His wrath, it is what they are owed, and in the case of those who receive His mercy, the wages of sin are paid for by His Son. The Just God pays the price for sin. 

…24What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? 25Far be it from You to do such a thing— to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” 26So the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place.”… Genesis 18: 24-26

…18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. 19Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? 20Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.… Psalm 71: 18-20

…136My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed. 137Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. 138The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.… Psalm 119: 136-138

…141I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts. 142Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true. 143Trouble and distress have found me, but Your commandments are my delight.… Psalm 119: 141-143

V. 15 I will have mercy on whom I have mercy - God declaring His divine right over His creation. This is a quote from Exodus 33.

…18Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” 19“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name— the LORD— in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 20But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”… Exodus 33: 18-20

V. 16 So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs - Sadly, there is an Arminian form of Christianity that I grew up with, which glorifies man's "free will", man who is called the bondservant of sin and dead in his trespasses and sins. The bible in no way teaches that "God will in no way interfere with man's free will", again, you are a slave to sin who needs to be born again. Human autonomy is a joke and an idol, for no one has ever called themselves into being. Even when man does will aright, chooses God, the Will beneath that will is God's own. Christ had to correct His own disciples on this, that He chose them, not the other way around. 

More on this from John 3

More on being born again

12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing,… Philippians 2: 12-14

…36But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. 37Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.… John 6: 36-38

…25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… Ezekiel 36: 25-27

V. 17 For this very purpose I raised you up - Pharoah and other rulers have always seen themselves as special, even self made, but some giving credit to the gods of their hands and imaginations. God is saying it is quite the opposite, like in the case of Nebuchadnezzar who praised himself against God's warning and was brought low. As some have pointed out, even the devil is God's devil, he can do no more than God allows.

5“Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you. 6For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans— that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own. 7They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.… Habakkuk 1: 5-7

…5But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 6“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.” 7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.… Job 2: 5-7

V. 18 He hardens whom He desires - God judiciously leaves some men in their sin. They didn't want God, and so they didn't get what they didn't want, but they will receive justice. 

. He hardens: We know that Pharaoh did harden his own heart, according to Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7, and 9:34. But “He does not so much as bother to indicate that Pharaoh hardened his own heart, an evidence of unbelief and rebellion, because he is emphasizing the freedom of God’s action in all cases.” (Harrison) - Enduring Word

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#1639 Romans 9 Part 2 Twin Truths

 

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s seed, but: “through Isaac your seed will be named.” 8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are considered as seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9: 6-13 LSB

Romans 9: 6-13

I. First, then, THIS IS FACT. Men say they do not like the doctrine of election. Verily, I do not want them to; but is it not a fact that God has elected some? Ask an Arminian brother about election, and at once his eye turns fiercely upon you, and he begins to get angry, he can't bear it; it is a horrible thing, like a war-cry to him, and he begins to sharpen the knife of controversy at once. But say to him, "Ah, brother! was it not divine grace that made you to differ? Was it not the Lord who called you out of your natural state, and made you what you are? "Oh, yes," he says," "I quite agree with you there." Now, put this question to him: "What do you think is the reason why one man has been converted, and not another?" "Oh," he says, "the Spirit of God has been at work in this man." Well, then, my brother, the fact is, that God does treat one man better than another; and is there anything wonderful in this fact? It is a fact we recognize every day. There is a man up in the gallery there, that work as hard as he likes, he cannot earn more than fifteen shillings a week; and here is another man that gets a thousand a year; what is the reason of this? One is born in the palaces of kings, while another draws his first breath in a roofless hovel What is the reason of this? God's providence. He puts one man in one position, and another man in another. Here is a man whose head cannot hold two thoughts together, do what you will with him; here is another who can sit down and write a book, and dive into the deepest of questions; what is the reason of it? God has done it. Do you not see the fact, that God does not treat every man alike? He has made some eagles, and some worms; some he has made lions, and some creeping lizards; he has made some men kings, and some are born beggars. Some are born with gigantic minds and some verge on the idiot. Why is this? Do you murmur at God for it? No, you say it is a fact, and there is no good in murmuring. What is the use of kicking against facts? It is only kicking against the pricks with naked feet, and you hurt yourself and not them. Well, then, election is a positive fact; it is as clear as daylight, that God does, in matters of religion, give to one man more than to another. He gives to me opportunities of hearing the word, which he does nor give to the Hottentot. He gives to me, parents who, from infancy, trained me in the fear of the Lord. He does not give that to many of you. He places me afterwards in situations where I am restrained from sin. Other men are cast into places where their sinful passions are developed. He gives, to one man a temper and disposition which keeps him back from some lust, and to another man he gives such impetuosity of spirit, and depravity turns that impetuosity so much aside, that the man runs headlong into sin. Again, he brings one man under the sound of a powerful ministry, while another sits and listens to a preacher whose drowsiness is only exceeded by that of his hearers. And even when they are hearing the gospel, the fact is God works in one heart when be does not in another. Though, I believe to a degree, the Spirit works in the hearts of all who hear the Word, so that they are all without excuse, yet I am sure he works in some so powerfully, that they can no longer resist him, but are constrained by his grace to cast themselves at his feet, and confess him Lord of all; while others resist the grace that comes into their hearts; and it does not act with the same irresistible force that it does in the other case, and they perish in their sins, deservedly and justly condemned. Are not these things facts? Does any man deny them? can any man deny them? What is the use of kicking against facts? I always like to know when there is a discussion, what is the fact. You have heard the story of King Charles the Second and the philosophers King Charles asked one of them, "What is the reason why, if you had a pail of water, and weighed it, and then put a fish into it, that the weight would be the same?" They gave a great many elaborate reasons for this. At last one of them said, "Is it the fact?" And then they found out that the water did weigh more, just as much more as the fish put into it. So all their learned arguments fell to the ground. So, when we are talking about election, the best thing is to say, "Put aside the doctrine for a moment, let us see what is the fact?" We walk abroad; we open our eyes; we see, there is the fact. What, then, is the use of our discussing any longer? We had better believe it, since it is an undeniable truth. You may alter an opinion, but you cannot alter a fact. You may change a mere doctrine, but you cannot possibly change a thing which actually exists. There it is God does certainly deal with some men better than he does with others. I will not offer an apology for God; he can explain his own dealings; he needs no defence from me,

"God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain;"

but there stands the fact. Before you begin to argue upon the doctrine, just recollect, that whatever you may think about it, you cannot alter it; and however much you may object to it, it is actually true that God did love Jacob, and did not love Esau. C. H. Spurgeon

V. 6 As though the word of God has failed - The Messiah came and Israel rejected Him, but Paul states that this is no failure in the plan of God. In fact this was predicted by the OT prophets. God did not fail His chosen people, but as we will see not all are the Israel of God. 

…10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—… John 1: 10-12

…2He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.… Isaiah 53: 2-4

V. 6b-7 For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel - This contrast the spirit and the physical birth. Jacob's name was changed to Israel, but not everyone related to him physically was born again spiritually. Growing up with a Christian parent doesn't make you born of the spirit, though you may be Christian culturally, celebrating Christmas, even believing things about Christ, just as the demons believe and tremble, yet are not saved. The Jews cited that they had Abraham as their father, but so did Ishmael, yet God chose Isaac. Ishmael, a historical person, represented the will of man, man trying to make his own way, which always leads to heartache and contention. Isaac, the younger brother of Ishmael by Sarah, was the child of promise, born well after Sarah's time of childbearing had passed, and proven fruitless. He is the child of the dead womb, and a very beautiful picture of being born again. Israel also means "governed by God", and not all were governed by God as their actions proved. 

…7You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”… Matthew 15: 7-9

…30As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD!’ 31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. 32Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.… Ezekiel 33: 30-32

…21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’… Matthew 7: 21-23

V. 8 The children of the flesh are not the children of God - Again he clarifies, it is not physical relation to Abraham, but being children of the promise, the ones called. The evidence of this would be repentance, being "ruled by God."

…8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.… Matthew 3: 8-10

V.9 And Sarah shall have a son - This is quoted from Genesis 18:10. Sarah's response to the promise of Isaac was to laugh, because she was passed the time of her menstruation and had never been able to conceive. Think about that in regards to your own salvation. It requires a miracle of God. 

1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.…

…4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,…

 Ephesians 2: 1-6

Vs. 10-13 Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated - Before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, meaning it is not based on their future foreseen merit. Jacob is a great case in point to this, his name means "deceiver". He tricked his own father, but God chose him, as he chooses all His elect, not upon condition of future good deeds, nor upon the basis of seeing that they would choose Him, but according to His sovereign plan. Many have played and tinkered with this plain statement "Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated", but I think it best to accept it as is. If it doesn't fit with your image of God, your Theology, then you should best challenge it because you are making an idol. God hates sin, and those who attach themselves to it, refuse salvation from it, and so God will be forever opposed to them. 

…10My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. 12If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.… Psalm 7: 10-12

…15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will remain— so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 17This is My command to you: Love one another.… John 15: 15-17

1This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: 2The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.… Nahum 1: 1-3

…35The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3: 35-36

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#1638 Romans 9 Part 1 Great Sorrow and Unceasing Grief

 

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9: 1-5 LSB

Romans 9: 1-5

When I entered seminary I believed in the freedom of my will, in the sense that it was ultimately self-determining. I had not learned this from the Bible. I absorbed it from the independent, self-sufficient, self-esteeming, self-exalting air that you and I breathe every day of our lives in America. The sovereignty of God meant that he can do anything with me that I give him permission to do. With this frame of mind, I entered a class on Philippians with Daniel Fuller and class on the doctrine of salvation with Jaymes Morgan.

In Philippians, I was confronted with the intractable ground clause of Philippians 2:13: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure,” which made God the will beneath my will and the worker beneath my work. The question was not whether I had a will, but the question was why I willed what I willed. And the ultimate answer — not the only answer — was God.

In the class on salvation, we dealt head-on with the doctrines of unconditional election and irresistible grace. Romans 9 was the watershed text and the one that changed my life forever. Romans 9:11–12 said, “Though they [Jacob and Esau] were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call — she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’”

And when Paul raised the question in verse 14, “Is there injustice on God’s part?” He says, no, and quotes Moses (in verse 15): “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” And when he raises the question in verse 19, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” He answers in verse 21, “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?”

Emotions run high when you feel your man-centered world crumbling around you. I met Dr. Morgan in the hall one day. After a few minutes of heated argument about the freedom of my will, I held a pen in front of his face and dropped it to the floor. Then I said, with not as much respect as a student ought to have, “I [!] dropped it.” Somehow that was supposed to prove that my choice to drop the pen was not governed by anything but my sovereign self.

But thanks be to God’s mercy and patience, at the end of the semester I wrote in my blue book for the final exam, “Romans 9 is like a tiger going about devouring free-willers like me.” That was the end of my love affair with human autonomy and the ultimate self-determination of my will. My worldview simply could not stand against the Scriptures, especially Romans 9. And it was the beginning of a lifelong passion to see and savor the supremacy of God in absolutely everything. - John Piper from "The Absolute Sovereignty of God" What is Romans 9 about?

Vs. 1-2 I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart - You could understand these doctrines, yet I would contest not so well as you think, if you read, memorize and repeat the argument of election, but remain without sorrow and unceasing grief in your heart. It is easy to see the world God has called you out of spiritually and rightfully hate this system, rightfully hate the sin, but it was not for our goodness that Christ came to save us. He came to seek and to save the lost, to call sinners to repentance, and so if we truly love Him then we should have sorrow over our sin, and sorrow for the state of those living in slavery to it. Ephesus was commended on many fronts, much like some of our Reformed churches today. They went even further than many when it came to discernment, even outing the Nicolaitans, for which Christ praises them, but for all that, even their great loyalty to the Word of God, yet they had forsaken their first love. They were doing all the things that we should expect of those who believe, it is the minimum after all, that we are sound in are doctrine, correct error, hold up the Word of God above our own thoughts and feelings, but is it not pride when we look at those who don't know God and forget that except for His great love and mercy we wouldn't either? We have lost the marvel and awe of our own salvation, the being able to come into the presence of His Majesty without being consumed by fire, being rescued from that which we could not save ourselves. Notice how Paul starts the presentation of these great doctrines with sorrow for the lost of Israel, his brothers according to the flesh, those who now hate him. 

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles. 3Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.…

…4But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. 5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.… Revelation 2: 1-6

…135Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed. 137Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.… Psalm 119: 135-137

…9Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God. 10Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, 11so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance.… Isaiah 66: 9-11

…16Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness. 17But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. 18Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”… Jeremiah 13: 16-18

The works of the Nicolaitans - A problem in Pergamum also, this heresy was similar to the teaching of Balaam. Nicolas means "one who conquers people". Irenaeus writes that Nicolas, who was made a deacon in Acts 6, was a false believer who later became apostate; but because of his credentials he was able to lead the church astray. And, like Balaam, he led the people into immorality and wickedness. The Nicolaitans, followers of Nicolas, were involved in immorality and assaulted the church with sensual temptations. Clement of Alexander says, "They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence." Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license.  - J Mac from study Bible note Rev 2:6

V. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed - No one this side of eternity can truly comprehend the weight of such a statement, but this is the burden of Paul's heart for his lost brothers. I have thought about this statement many times throughout my Christian life, and it shouldn't be brushed off or passed over without assessing one's own view of the lost. We tend to go too far to the side of being in a bubble like separatist, hating not just evil, but people, though Christ has told us to love our enemies, and to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. We treat it as a kindness to not bring up the gospel because we know that it will be controversial, and the reality of the word "enemy" will become too crisp. Paul is stating that he is willing, thank God it is not of him who wills, to be considered anathema, that is the Greek word which means "to devote to destruction in eternal hell". It always takes me a bit to recover from that, but look at the contrast, most of us aren't willing to be temporarily put out, bothered, rejected, scorned for even a minute. We are much quicker to raise up fists or stand on soap boxes then we are to pray for the salvation of those who would persecute us. I don't think Paul has lost his first love. I think he is finding his salvation more and more marvelous, almost unbelievable, definitely outside of himself. 

…31So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. 32Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.” 33The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.… Exodus 32: 31-33

V. 4a Who are Israelites - The physical descendants of Abraham, born from Jacob, whose name became Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. 

V. 4b To whom belongs the adoption as sons - God ransomed Israel from Egypt, covering them in the blood of the Passover, a picture pointing to Christ. 

…21The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, 23and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’ ”… Exodus 4: 21-23

…19After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ 20Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD. 21“Set up the roadmarks, establish the signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours.… Jeremiah 31: 19-21

V. 4c And the glory, and the covenants and the giving of the law - Israel had a unique relationship to God in comparison to the rest of the world. The glory refers to God's presence, the Shekinah that went before them in a cloud by day, fire by night and indwelled the tabernacle. They received the unilateral covenant which God gave to Abraham and renewed with Jacob, and this was the name that Moses gave the people in Egypt, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the great "I am", the eternal Being, the Creator, the only true God. They had the law given to them through Moses, so they had many advantages in knowing God, the revelation of God, both the law and the prophets. 

10And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD 11so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 8: 10-11

…17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses. 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land— from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates — 19the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites,… Genesis 15: 17-19

V. 4d The temple service and the promises - The temple showed the approach, told the story of God's redemptive plan, showed man's inability to approach without being clean, and that there was a breach that could only be overcome by the life and death of another. 

Latreia - 5x in 5v - John 16:2; Ro 9:4; 12:1; Heb 9:1, 6. NAS = divine worship(2), service(2), service of worship(1).

Paul is referring to the service as seen in the tabernacle, offerings, and priesthood as found in Exodus and Leviticus, Moses recording for example God's promise… Precept Austin

"And I will meet there with the sons of Israel, and it shall be consecrated by My glory. And I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to minister as priests to Me. And I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the LORD their God. (Ex 29:43, 44, 45, 46)

13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, 15because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.… Romans 4: 13-15

V. 5b From whom is the Christ according to the flesh - Jesus was born a Jew from the line of David. 

V. 5c Who is God over all - Another mention of Christ's deity. 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

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#1637 Romans 8 Part 5 Tip Toeing Through The Tulips

 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;

We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 31-39 LSB

Romans 8: 31-39

So to recap Romans we saw in Romans 1-3 God's calling out and defining sin, and we saw also that all had sinned. In reformed circles we would relate this to what John Calvin called the doctrine of Total Depravity, men's fallenness and inability to raise himself from this. 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [i]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [j]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [k]a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed [l]forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is [m]unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing [n]indecent acts and receiving in [o]their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit [p]to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, [q]haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1: 18-32

9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. 11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.… Romans 3: 9-11

So since men are all depraved, and the Bible goes even further to say that we are dead in our trespasses and sins, it is only by the will of God that any are saved. This brings us to the doctrine of Unconditional election, that since there was nothing redeemable in us, since we would by nature not want God, our salvation is dependent upon His wanting us, not for any foreseeable good in us, but because of His good will and pleasure.

…10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. 11In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.… Ephesians 1: 10-12

28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.… Romans 8: 28-30

…10Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 11Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”… Romans 9: 10-12

Limited atonement teaches that Christ did not die to make salvation a possibility for those who might believe, because we see the reality of such a claim to be unscriptural as in what we just read, "there is none righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." Jesus had to correct His disciples of this same confusion. 

…15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will remain— so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 17This is My command to you: Love one another.… John 15: 15-17

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches and scatters them— 13 because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, which are not from this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one [b]takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” John 1: 11-18

Next we see God's irresistible Grace, the I in TULIP, that who He calls will come because He chose them before time. As we have gone over before, the dead don't will themselves to life, just like Lazarus, Jesus calls and Lazarus comes to life. We didn't make ourselves, and we are also not able to remake ourselves, we are not antonymous in our salvation or life. Everything belongs to the Creator. 

…36But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. 37Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.… John 6: 36-38

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. 27And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”…

…28Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. 29For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. 30Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience,… Romans 11: 25-30

And here at the end of Romans 8 we come to the P, or Perseverance of the Saints, the doctrine derived from Jesus' own words that none that the Father has given Him would be lost. It is not based upon the will of man, it is the Holy Spirit that keeps us and causes us to remain and bear fruit. None of Jesus' true sheep would be lost due to the Father's sovereign decree in election. Those that walk away were ever and always tares and not wheat. 

…37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.… Romans 8: 37-39

…39And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” 41At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”… John 6: 39-41

18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.… 1 John 2: 18-20

More on TULIP

Vs. 31 If God is for us, who is against us - A great comfort, a present perspective based upon an eternal reality. If the Creator of the Universe is for us then why not just serve Him, trust Him regardless of what other men may say or do. If God is sovereign He is yet in control where we are not, even when things are seem to be crashing down upon us. He has even been so gracious to warn us of these things. 

17This is My command to you: Love one another. 18If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.… John 15: 17-19

V. 32 He Who indeed did not spare His own Son - He has too much invested to let it fail. He is just and He has made a promise to His Son. It will surely come to pass.

Vs. 33-35 It is God Who justifies - Satan stands as our accuser all day long, but God has justified us through the life and atoning work of Christ. 

Vs. 36-27 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer - The Christian's resilience is even in death. They were being killed for belonging to Christ just like those in China and even recently in Nigeria. Death cannot separate us from God's love. 

Vs. 38-39 Nor rulers - Governments have come and gone throughout history. We have seen this and should not be surprised when they come for us again, regardless of where we live. North Africa enjoyed hundreds of years of Christian influence only to see it fade into a dark age. Syria was the same, Europe has thought itself too smart to believe in the true God and left a vacuum for apostasy to fill. America was founded on Christian principles even those that influenced the abolitionist and writers of the Constitution. They recognized human depravity and worked against it, but the more we have moved away from God the darker it has become. The church, for the sake of "unity", can no longer see stains in broad day light or embers burning in the dark. We need to humble ourselves and pray, stand up for what's right, but don't be afraid, He is coming back. 

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